BOCA RATON – There’s an adage in baseball that good teams are strong up the middle. It applies to football, too. Without a strong center and guards, it’s difficult for an offense to get rolling.

We ranked the Top 5 FAU tackles yesterday. Now we’re moving inside, considering the guards and centers.

Following FAU football’s best season in program history, and with about a month to kill before the start of fall camp, this seems like a good time to reflect on past football seasons and players. Ultimately those thoughts led to a fun question: Who are the five best FAU players at each position in program history?

While considering the best of the best at FAU, players were judged on their performance (statistics), what they meant to their team and sheer physical talent. As part of our research for this list we consulted with former players, former coaches and media members who’ve covered the Owls. Reaching the NFL is an indicator of talent, but players who played professionally weren’t necessarily placed above some who didn’t.

With that in mind, let’s get to the list.

Top 5 FAU Interior Linemen

5. Nick Paris (2004-08): As a center, Paris captained an offensive line that led FAU to its first two bowl victories. Paris protected Rusty Smith those years, and that 2007 offensive line only surrendered 15 sacks on the season. He earned second-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2008. Paris gets the nod here over guards Kevin Miller and Jarrid Smith. Antonyo Woods’ versatility – he was an All-Conference USA selection at center last year – nearly landed him here, too.

4. Mustafa Johnson (2012-13): The junior college transfer brought stability to an offensive line that desperately needed it, becoming one of the Owls’ team captains. A true center, Johnson received a late start on his college football career, but the California native made the most of his opportunity in Florida. Intelligent and strong, Johnson held the offensive line together and was a major reason the Owls rallied to bowl eligibility in 2013.

3. Mike Marsaille (2011-15): The 6-foot-6, 320-pound Marsaille was the biggest cog in the offensive lines of the Charlie Partridge era. Marsaille deserved at least second-team All-Conference USA recognition in 2015, but the Owls’ 3-9 record likely prevented that honor. Still, the Owls recognized Marsaille’s importance, naming him their Offensive MVP that year. If FAU needed two yards, they ran behind “Big Mike.” Marsaille played in the Tropic Bowl all-star game following his senior season

2. Dave Matlock (2005-09): “Tough” doesn’t begin to describe this four-year starter who played in 50 consecutive games for FAU despite battling a torn meniscus and other injuries. Primarily a guard who did play some center, Matlock earned FAU’s “Team Above Self” in 2009 award for playing through all those injuries. Arguably the best player on an offensive line that allowed only 31 sacks over a two-year period, Matlock earned second-team All-Sun Belt recognition in 2009.

1. Dillon DeBoer (2012-16): A versatile, intelligent lineman who played center, guard and tackle in his career, DeBoer is at the top of this list for his play at center. He remained the lone constant that year in an offensive line that started eight different combinations in the first nine weeks of the season. The 2016 FAU Offensive MVP, DeBoer signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Chargers, but an injury sidelined him for the season. Most recently, the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers brought DeBoer to their preseason camp.

BOCA RATON – When building a college football team from scratch, finding quality offensive linemen can be the most difficult task. That’s held true at FAU, where the Owls made do – often quite successfully – with undersized collegians possessing over-sized hearts.

Following the Owls first two bowl victories, the offensive line talent experienced a bit of a dip – one that it only began recovering from in the last couple of years. Today we’ll focus on the best of the best among offensive tackles, leaving the interior linemen for Thursday.

Following FAU football’s best season in program history, and with about a month to kill before the start of fall camp, this seems like a good time to reflect on past football seasons and players. Ultimately those thoughts led to a fun question: Who are the five best FAU players at each position in program history?

While considering the best of the best at FAU, players were judged on their performance (statistics), what they meant to their team and sheer physical talent. As part of our research for this list we consulted with former players, former coaches and media members who’ve covered the Owls. Reaching the NFL is an indicator of talent, but players who played professionally weren’t necessarily placed above some who didn’t.

With that in mind, let’s get to the list.

Top 5 FAU Tackles

5. Sam McRoy (2007-11): Though McRoy was part of FAU’s first two bowl teams, he didn’t play in either of those games. His main contributions came afterward, protecting the backsides of Rusty Smith and Jeff Van Camp. FAU’s offensive lines weren’t particularly good during McRoy’s final two seasons. Without McRoy, they would have been much worse. Current tackle Brandon Walton has the look of a player ready to crash this list. Inconsistent play kept Carl Spitale on the outside of this ranking.

4. Braden Lyons (2013-14): A junior college transfer brought to FAU by Carl Pelini to make an immediate impact along the offensive line, Lyons did exactly that. A vocal leader along the offensive line, Lyons enabled FAU to rush for a then-program record 2,225 yards in 2013. With FAU badly in need of center, Lyons became a snapper in 2014, and toggled between center and tackle throughout his senior season. Had he remained at tackle, Lyons’ accomplishments at FAU would have been more revered.

3. Nello Faulk (2003-06): At 6-foot-7 and 270 pounds, Faulk was the first member of an FAU offensive line to possess a true FBS body. He played as a true freshman during FAU’s run to the FCS semifinals. He started every year after that, becoming an All-Sun Belt selection following his senior season. After that season Faulk earned a tryout with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

2. John Rizzo (2005-08): He came to FAU as a walk-on and promptly earned the start a Louisville in his first game as a true freshman. Rizzo played on the interior and at tackle during his career, but for the final two seasons he served as an immovable tackle on two teams that won bowl games. In the 2007 season Rizzo was a leader on an offensive line that allowed only 15 sacks over the 12-game season. Coaches raved about Rizzo’s tenacity, a trait that helped him become a second-team All-Sun Belt selection in each of his final two seasons.

1. Reggie Bain (2014-Present): He might have already been the best offensive lineman in FAU history even before he broke his hip in a motor scooter accident prior to the start of the 2016 season, ended his year before it began. Bain returned to the field for the 2017 season, dominating his way to a 2017 All-Conference USA selection. Bain earned C-USA All-Freshman honors in 2014 and was a second-team All-Conference USA performer as a sophomore. With another typical Bain season in 2018, he should become the first FAU offensive lineman ever selected in the NFL draft.

BOCA RATON – Despite being a relative newbie in the college football world, FAU has already shown a knack for developing productive tight ends. The legacy began in the program’s first year and continues through today.

While the spread offense is quickly turning the tight end into an endangered species in college football, FAU still relies on them heavily when the offense operates at the best of its ability.

Following FAU football’s best season in program history, and with about a month to kill before the start of fall camp, this seems like a good time to reflect on past football seasons and players. Ultimately those thoughts led to a fun question: Who are the five best FAU players at each position in program history?

While considering the best of the best at FAU, players were judged on their performance (statistics), what they meant to their team and sheer physical talent. As part of our research for this list we consulted with former players, former coaches and media members who’ve covered the Owls. Reaching the NFL is an indicator of talent, but players who played professionally weren’t necessarily placed above some who didn’t.

With that in mind, let’s get to the list.

FAU Top 5 Tight Ends

5. Nexon Dorvilus (2009-13): His tenure began in the Howard Schnellenberger era and lasted through the Carl Pelini era. Dorvilus proved productive in both systems, allowing him to earn second-team All-Conference USA honors in 2012. He caught 72 passes for 740 yards in four years. Dorvilus’ 12 receiving touchdowns are tied for fifth most in program history. And Dorvilus was a complete tight end who was an effective run blocker, too. Harrison Bryant (pictured above) is closing in on this spot. If he remains healthy Bryant, playing in Lane Kiffin’s system, should be able to pass Dorvilus statistically.

4. Jamari Grant (2005-2009): Caught exactly 100 passes in his college career, covering 1,208 yards – with 624 of those yards coming in 2008 when Grant was named second team All-Sun Belt. Grant caught seven touchdowns in his career, with the most memorable one coming in the closing seconds of regulation in the 2008 Shula Bowl – a diving grab that tied the game at 50. After that catch Grant famously hugged the first person he could find. That happened to be the official standing next to him, whose arms were extended above his head signaling touchdown.

3. Rob Housler (2006-10): Speed was at the heart of Housler’s game. At the time, his 68-yard TD run on a reverse against FIU in 2007 was the longest touchdown run in program history. Housler was a big play weapon down the middle of the field. He caught 76 passes for 1,228 yards during his career, with eight of those receptions going for touchdowns. The Arizona Cardinals made Housler the Owls’ then highest-drafted player in 2010 by selecting him in the third round. Housler played five seasons in the NFL.

2. Anthony Crissinger-Hill (2001-04): Truth be told, Crissinger-Hill was a wide receiver playing tight end. And if considered only as a wide receiver, Crissinger-Hill would have made that Top 5 list, too. His 128 catches are sixth most in program history. Only Cortez Gent, Kalib Woods and Lestar Jean have more than the 1,936 receiving yards Crissinger-Hill amassed in his career. FAU named Crissinger-Hill its Offensive MVP in 2003 and the guys who played with him constantly mention his name as one of FAU’s all-time greats, regardless of position. Plus, Crissinger-Hill had one of the greatest individual performances in program history, catching 15 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns in the Owls’ 2004 overtime upset of Hawaii.

1. Jason Harmon (2005-09): The best overall athlete to play the position for FAU, Harmon’s 138 receptions are the most by an FAU tight end. Those catches covered 1,745 yards – seventh best in FAU history and behind only Crissinger-Hill among tight ends. And Harmon’s catches came in the FBS era. Harmon’s 13 career TDs tie for the third most in FAU history, and he was an All-Sun Belt selection in 2007 and again in 2009. A freakish athlete with the ball in his hands, Harmon’s signature move was hurdling potential open-field tacklers who tried to go low to bring him to the ground. Possessing enough size to be a factor blocking in the running game, Harmon participated in Jacksonville’s camp following his graduation.

BOCA RATON – Considering all the South Florida talent that’s raced through FAU’s football program, the Owls really haven’t produced many standout wide receivers. Only two have played NFL downs, with one reaching the League primarily as a special teams player.

Following FAU football’s best season in program history, and with about a month to kill before the start of fall camp, this seems like a good time to reflect on past football seasons and players. Ultimately those thoughts led to a fun question: Who are the five best FAU players at each position in program history?

While considering the best of the best at FAU, players were judged on their performance (statistics), what they meant to their team and sheer physical talent. As part of our research for this list we consulted with former players, former coaches and media members who’ve covered the Owls. Reaching the NFL is an indicator of talent, but players who played professionally weren’t necessarily placed above some who didn’t.

For the purposes of this list, we wide outs and slots were all lumped into one category.

With that in mind, let’s get to the list.

5. Kalib Woods (2013-17): A strong finish to his FAU career allowed Woods to race to 2,106 career receiving yards – second most in program history. Had he not been suspended for the first half of his senior season following his arrest on two charges of felony battery, Woods probably would have exited FAU as its career leader in that category. No wide receiver benefited more from Lane Kiffin’s first year at FAU. His 10 career TD receptions are a little light, however, barely cracking FAU’s Top 10. Woods edges Jenson Stoshak (now playing arena football), Lucky Whitehead (who’s name is surprisingly difficult to find in the FAU record book) and Chris Bonner. Daniel McKinney needed one more season as an Owl. With another year like his freshman season, Willie Wright could jump into this spot – or higher.

4. William Dukes (2011-14): Dukes was the deep threat on some truly awful offensive football teams. He was the guy every defensive coordinator had to account for. Dukes missed much of his freshman year after injuring himself in a preseason scrimmage, running through the end zone and crashing into a marketing tent placed too close to the field. Dukes rebounded to catch 125 passes in his career, 11 of which were touchdowns.

3. Roosevelt Bynes (2003-04): Bynes only played two seasons at FAU, but when he was on the field he was a difference maker. A big-play target for Jared Allen during the 2003 run to the FCS quarterfinals, nine of Bynes 47 catches that year went for scores. The Pitt transfer’s 13 career touchdowns tie for third most in program history. Bynes averaged 19.64 yards per catch in his career, which still leads that category. While his two-touchdown performance against Northern Arizona in the FCS quarterfinals pushed the Owls to the semis, Bynes will always be remembered for his first two-TD game, which ended spectacularly with a 62-yard catch from Allen on the final play of the game to stun Middle Tennessee – giving FAU its first victory over an FBS school.

2. Lestar Jean (2007-10): Known as “Lester” during his time as an Owl, Jean’s name reverted to his proper “Lestar” upon embarking on his NFL career. Jean is the lone former FAU wide receiver to play in the NFL based solely on his wide receiver skills. Tall and fast, Jean’s second all-time in receptions (146) and receiving TDs (15), and third in receiving yards (1,992). Jean played in 27 games over two seasons for the Houston Texans, but FAU fans will always remember Jean’s epic one-handed 77-yard touchdown catch at UAB in the opening game of the 2010 season.

1. Cortez Gent (2005-09): Pick an FAU receiving category and Gent either leads it or sits close to the top. The lead receiver during FAU’s first two bowl years, Gent set the bar high with 162 receptions for to 2,491 yards and 20 touchdowns in his career. He’s the only FAU wide receiver ever to top the 1,000 yard mark in a season, tallying 1,082 in 2007. He owns two seasons with nine touchdowns catches. All other FAU receivers combined have one – that coming from Bynes in 2003.

The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics doesn’t appear to agree.

On Saturday NACDA announced Stanford as its winner of the Directors’ Cup, presented to the most successful athletic department of the year.

FAU ranked No. 165 out of 291 schools, well below the No. 79 the Owls finished in 2005-06.

Five Conference USA teams finished above FAU, led by Middle Tennessee at No. 94. FIU placed second highest among C-USA schools at 117. Old Dominion, Southern Miss and Western Kentucky all finished above FAU.

The Directors’ Cup standings place a premium on conference championships. Only football and softball won conference titles this past season for the Owls.

Baseball, however, came a few innings away from both a C-USA tournament title and the NCAA Gainesville regional title. And women’s tennis player Aliona Bolsova was ranked as high as No. 2 nationally by ITA.

Football led the way for FAU in 2017. In Lane Liffin’s first year as coach FAU won its first Conference USA championship and played in a bowl game for the first time since 2008. The Owls ended the season on a 10-game winning streak.

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